The Education System : Britain and Ghana vs Singapore

Most countries view education as an important factor contributing to the modernization of the country. A country becomes modern when it allows industrialization to take place on it’s soil. New innovations are developed. Technology grows. There are new handphones, ipods, computers, vehicles and much more. New factories and officers are also built. It’s communication and financial sector expands. However for all these to take place, a country needs an educated labor force that will overlook and run the development of the country. Education inculcates the necessarily skills and values to the person in order for he or she to go out to survive in the world. Education also inculcates one’s country’s political ideology so that their citizens would remain loyal to his or her country. Unfortunately it does not always work as we humans have a brain and are able to make decisions on our own.

Countries around the world have different and similar education systems. Some countries develop their education system in accordance to the education system of the country that colonized them. For example, Singapore and Ghana. In this essay I will illustrate two different countries and their education system. They are Great Britain and Ghana, I will compare these systems with Singapore education system. At the same time I will also show how these countries education system also reflect their countries political system and their distribution of power.
In Williamsons’s model, four kinds of societies are mentioned. They are developed socialist societies, underdeveloped socialist societies, advanced capitalistic societies and dependent societies. He claims that the education system is structured towards the political and ideologies of the country. (Ballantine, pg 346, 2001)

Britain falls under the advanced capitalist societies category. It has a free market labor. Businesses are privately owned. Some are government owned. The aim of most businesses is to make profit. It has a high Gross Nation Profit. Britain consists pre-school, primary schools, secondary schools, private schools , polytechnics and private and government run universities. Britain boasts of a literacy rate of 99%. Britain needed an educated population to expand capitalism in the country. Marxists theorists saw it as a way capitalist preserve and produce their culture through education. Education was first confined to the elites but later as the working class grew, education was opened to the working class. Morality, obedience & frugality was in the education curriculum. (Ballantine, pg 359, 2001). Compulsory attendance began at the age of five and later it was moved to eleven. Before one leaves secondary school, one takes the GCSE school examinations ( equivalent to O – levels here in Singapore ). After secondary schools, students can advance and take two more years of education which would lead to the A- Levels. The next step is going to polytechnics or the universities. Some of the universities in the past only excepted certain class of students, especially those that attended grammer school. A example of a grammer school and a prestige university is Eton and Oxford. (Ballantine, pg 360, 2001)

After world war two, education became free. There were schools for various classes. Grammer schools for the Elites and secondary comprehensive schools for the majority of the working class. The secondary comprehensive schools were created to give the working class access to subjects that were taught only in grammer schools. This also was to increase the labour force. There was also secondary technical schools which conducted trade training programs. There was differentiation between secondary schools. One was academic based and the other was vocational base.

The goals of education for Britain according to the Education reform was :
(Ballantine, pg 357, 2001)

a.) To raise standards at all ability levels
b.) Give parents a wider choice of schools
c.) Improve partnership between schools and parents
d.) Make further and higher education more economical and relevant to the majority
e.) Obtain good value for money from educational service as a whole

As written above, Britain had and still has two set of social classes that have unequal access to certain areas of education. The elite usually attend public schools or grammer schools. They are too expensive to attend, therefore only the rich can attend these schools. These schools provided excellent academic foundations and also training in the art of being “ ladies and gentlemen” It also teaches these elites how to adopt a certain manner of speaking and behavior. It imparts the necessary skills to past entrance exams to prestige’s universities. (Ballantine, pg 362, 2001) The students of these schools have easier access to prestige universities than other students from other schools. Large number of senior civil servants and business and professional leaders are drawn from these schools.In the eyes of Marxists, education helps these Elites to reproduce their social class which also perpetuates into the capitalist labour market. An example of a grammer school is Eton. Ballantine, pg 357, 2001) The students there are destined to be statesman & gentlemen. They are taught the politics of their country as they are looked upon as the potential ones to run the country. They walk in a purposefully manner and they attend rigid rituals ceremonies and dress in their uniform of black and white pin – stripped trousers, white bow ties, black vests and waistcoats and braided hair. Ballantine, pg 357, 2001) It underpins Williamson’s claim that education is a plan of action to advocate a country’s political ideologies. However, it does not mean those from comprehensive schools would not have a chance to go to Oxford and Cambridge. They still can but they must do very well in order to qualify a place.
Another way of getting easier access to top universities is by having connections with influential people or by having family ties with the university.

The local community through the Local Education Authorities has control over the running and decisions the schools. Research, planning and restructuring of the education system is decided by the government. Ballantine, pg 355, 2001) The LEA have authority and management over the conduct of administrators, both county ( state – supported ) and voluntary schools ( church ). British elementary schools have also been a model for other countries like US. The curricula for pre school includes ample free time, music, art, time for projects and a range of opportunities for TV Education, theater trips & museum visits. The pre-school are also designed to give a child like feeling, with toys, personal drawings, books and artwork decorating the classroom. (Ballantine, pg 356, 2001)

Britain is also an exam and credential society. It places great expectations on exams and certificates. As mention earlier, it has various exams that are credical to students when applying for jobs. They are the GCSE, A- Level exam and International Baccalaureate exams. The last one is however opened only to the elites and those with high IQ. (Ballantine, pg 358,2001)
By contrasts Ghana comes under the category of developing countries. The country fellows the British model of education. One of the reason is that it was once colonized by Britain. Even though there is social class differentiation in Britain, the rest of the population do have a good chance in obtaining good education but in Ghana, not all can obtain a good education. The social distinction is higher. The urban elite has a more disproportionate share of places for education.

The income gap in Ghana is quite wide. There are many still living in rural area parts of Ghana. Children usually attend school from the age of 6. Some will go to secondary schools at around twelve years and secondary school last around five years. The subject taught are mathematics, general science, social studies, religious education and physical education. (Ballantine, pg 366,2001) Where in Britain its focus is mainly on modernity, capitalism and politics, Ghana emphasizes on African heritage and necessarily skills for life. Why is this so? Well, education to some families is not a primary condition. As they are involve in farming, their main concern is for the young to help out in the farming. Most of these of families are poor also. Therefore there are some factors that families consider first before sending their children to school. The factors are cost to the family, school quality, travel time and anticipated cost of return. (Ballantine, pg 367,2001), There are some areas in Ghana where children have not gone to schools. Most parents can afford to place their children in school in Britain. Money is much not a factor even though it is still to some. There are schools in various districts, therefore traveling to school is rather convenient. In Ghana. those who attend school usually stay on and move up to university if they are able to do so. (Ballantine, pg 368,2001)

When Britain colonize Ghana, education was one of their top priority. They needed an educated labour force to help them. Countries like Ghana saw education as a way out of being dominated by another country and to achieve independence. Therefore Ghana’s education is structured to in a way that its curriculum encourages independency, leadership and the full cultural knowledge of Ghana. (Ballantine, pg 368,2001)
For Britain, the values of capitalism was important, for Ghana values about independency, leadership and culture are the three most important. Leadership is needed for technological development, Industrialization and politics. Therefore, even a developing country would want to groom their youths for politics. Some parents could send their children overseas and when they return. (Ballantine, pg 368,2001)

They brought with them expertise like agricultural skills, emphasis on preventive medicine in the area of traditional tribal medicine and integration of new knowledge with existing values and traditions may be more relevant to the needs of the nation. The children usually attend prestige’s schools like Oxford and Cambridge in Britain. (Ballantine, pg 368,2001)
In Singapore, the education system like Ghana is modeled after the British system. Singapore was also colonized by the British once. It became their main trading port. Education was needed to create a work force to mend this hugh city port. Singapore education has thus made some modifications but it’s exam system is still following the British system. Singapore education like Britain, is based on exam and credentials.

Singapore has become an independent and capitalized country. Like Britain, its capitalist markets are open. Industrialization is flourishing. Gross National Product is high and majority of Singaporeans earn enough to support themselves and have a decent living. The aim of Singapore’s Education System is to achieve world standard. It wants to be recognized around the world. These would encourage overseas students to come to Singapore to learn. Indeed, National University of Singapore has become one of the top leading business schools around the world.

Singapore’s education curriculum is created towards achieving this goal. Students are taught to be creative. Rote learning has come to pass. There are more projects to do. These projects involve critical thinking. These will help to inculcate skills to solve problems. When these youths go out to the labour force, they will be equipped with problem solving techniques. Moral and religious education is still being taught. Education is controlled by the government but more autonomy has been given to schools, especially private schools, to manage and run their schools in the best possible way. Teachers are allowed to explore their horizon and are encouraged to expand their knowledge. With more knowledge, they can then pass on more knowledge to their students. Education fees for primary school are free. For Secondary, Colleges and Universities, fees have to be paid. The ministry give support to those who cannot afford the fees. Private schools and Universities set their own fees. There are bank loans to finance these fees.
The education base their system on three goals. They are

a.) Students must acquire sound values and skills to take them through life as responsible adults and active citizens. It comprises the non – academic curriculum (http://www.moe.gov.sg)

b.) Students must acquire knowledge skills. This will help develop the student’s thinking process and communication skills. This will enable students to analyse and use information and be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. (http://www.moe.gov.sg)

c.) Students must have a good grounding in content across different areas of study. (http://www.moe.gov.sg)


For primary schools, education is up to six years of compulsory education. There are no school fees.. After six years the child will seat for the Primary School Leaving Examinations. Student are encouraged to take part in Co-curricular Activities and Community Involvement Programme. This is for the child to have a more rounded education. Subjects taken are English, mother tongue, Mathematics and Science, Social Studies, Art & Crafts and Music. (http://www.moe.gov.sg/)

Secondary schools last from 4 to 5 years. Exams like in the British system to be taken after the 4 or 5 years is GCE ‘O’ Levels. For some in the Technical stream will only take the ‘N’ Levels and move on ITE. Some schools have integrated programmes whereby students skip ‘O’ Levels and go straight to ‘A’ Levels. Some prefer to take the International Baccalaureate exams. Britain also offers this exam. However these exam is open to the elite schools in Singapore like Raffles Institution and Raffles girls. Subjects taken at secondary level. English, Mother, Tongue, French, German, Japanese, Malay, Chinese, Geography, History, Literature in English, Visual Arts, Music, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Home Economics, Accounts, Design and Technology and Food & Nutrition. For Pre – University Education ( Junior Colleges ), it last from 2 to 3 years. (http://www.moe.gov.sg)
After that, students sit for the ‘A’ Levels ( Same in Britain ). The subjects taken are Mother Tongue Languages, 3rd Languages, Art, Economics, Geography, History, Literature in English, Music, Theatre studies & Drama, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, computing. (http://www.moe.gov.sg)
From ‘O’Levels, students can go on to polytechnics or do their ‘A’ Levels. Polytechnic subjects are more catered to the relevant industries that they are teaching. However, there is more prestige do A levels than to go to polytechnic as there is a better chance to enter NUS or NTU.
Elitism in Singapore, like in Britain and Ghana, do exist. The universities due to their goal in trying to achieve world standard have raised their entry levels. Faculty like the medical faculty has even higher standards. Therefore to enter these universities, you have to do well. There is even a quota so even you do well does not mean you will get a place in the university. Most civil servants from local universities have better chances in obtaining jobs in government control organizations. Same goes to those in Britain

There are other options however, like going overseas to study. Recently, overseas universities have opened their campuses here so it is now more convenient to attend overseas universities locally. The open university is one of them. Recently it has been given the statues of the first private local university in Singapore and the government recognizes the university.
Singapore’s education is also tailored in way at it promotes its political ideologies. It curriculum develops youths into what the government want to be so that they can bring in wealth and prosperity to the country. There are some who do not share the government’s political ideology so they would migrate to other countries. These causes a brain drain. One example that S

Singapore preaches it’s political ideology is through the National Education programme and its history subjects. All Singaporeans have to learn what happened to Singapore in the 60’s, how it was founded and who is who in the government. We are then taught what is right and wrong for the country. It goes to show that education is actually a course of action to promote one’s political ideology.

Different countries have different education system. All their education system reflect their countries political system and ideologies. The three countries that I used as examples are Singapore, Britain and Ghana. The first two are capitalist countries countries and the last one is a developing country. Singapore and Ghana use the British model of education because they were both colonized by Britain. The difference is that countries like Singapore and Britain have better facilities to carry out their educations system. Literacy rate is also above the 90% mark. Unfortunately for Ghana it is around the 60% mark. They vary in what is taught in school.

Elitism is most obvious in Ghana because of the income disparity and not all people in Ghana can access the education system. In Singapore and Britain, even though there is elitism, majority of their citizens can access the education system.

Therefore there is still more room for improvement in upgrading the education system in one’s country. I hope they make me more egalitarian.